Improved pull-responsive bite-signalling light for flashlights

ABSTRACT

A flashlight is equipped with circuit make and break means so constructed and cooperatively oriented with the coacting battery case that when a fish bites, the pull which is exerted acts on the movable contact, in a manner to (1) close the circuit (2) bring the signal light into play and (3) alert the fisherman. Several similar but structurally distinct circuit make and break adaptations are herein disclosed. Means is provided for mounting the flashlight on a rod, a pole, or where a trotline is used, on a vertical stake. The light bulb is provided with novel inner and outer caps, the outer cap being provided with distinguishably and selectively usable colored segments, that is, where a plurality of individual bite signals are grouped adjacent each other.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Virgil H. Sparks Box 343, Chickasha,Okla. 73018 [21] Appl. No. 797,517

[22] Filed Feb. 7, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 23, 11971 [54] IMPROVEDPULL-RESPONSIVE BIT E- SIGNALLING LIGHT FOR FLASHLIGHTS PrimaryExaminer-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-J. R. ScottAttorneysClarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: Aflashlight is equipped with circuit make and break means so constructedand cooperatively oriented with the coacting battery case that when afish bites, the pull which is exerted acts on the movable contact, in amanner to (1) close the circuit (2) bring the signal light into play and(3) alert the fisherman. Severalsimilar but structurally distinctcircuit make and break adaptations are herein disclosed. Means isprovided for mounting the flashlight on a rod, a pole, or where atrotline is used, on a vertical stake. The light bulb is provided withnovel inner and outer caps, the outer cap being provided withdistinguishably and selectively usable colored segments, that is, wherea plurality of individual bite signals are grouped adjacent each other.

IMPRGVEI) FULL-RESFONSIVE BlTE-SIGNALMNG HGT-HT FOR FLASHLIGHTS Thisinvention relates to pull-responsive bite-signalling devices wherein afishing light, a battery operated flashlight for example, is equippedwith readily accessible circuit make and break means, which is soconstructed hat the fisherman can attach the associatively cooperableend of the line thereto with a minimum of difficulty.

In carrying out the principles of this invention the battery case ofsubstantially conventional-type flashlight is rigged with forward andrearward elastic straps. when the flashlight is to be used on a rod andreel (alternatively a simple pole) these straps re removable wrappedaround the rod and detachably clipped in place. The line is attached tothe movable contact and the signalling means is readied for use. Whenhis means is used with a trotline one end of which is anchored on a bankor shore stake, the rearward strap is tied to the stake, the trotline istied to the forward strap and a normally slack bypass line provides pullresponsive connecting and operating means.

Briefly the fishing light or light source could, within the purview ofthe concept, be of an adaptable form other than that specifically shown.However, andas experience has shown, a flashlight of a substantiallyconventional type will well serve as the off and on source of light.Generically the battery case is' constructed at it forward end tofacilitate the association therewith of circuit make nd break means,more particularly, a relatively stationary contact and a companion andcomplemental relatively movable contact. The stationary contact ischaracterized by a readily applicable and removable adapter ring ofconductive material, a peripheral portion of the ring being providedwith a socket member having a screw-threaded socket. A rigid shankhaving a screw-threaded portion is screwed into the socket, said shankbeing preferably but not necessarily, provided at an outer end with anapertured yoke. The aperture in the yoke permits, when desired, thepassage of an end of a fishing line therethrough for attachment to acomponent part of the movable contact. This last-named contact isactually and preferably made up of inner and outer coils appropriatelyconnected and wherein the outer coil serves as a line guide, and theinner coil serves, when so desired, to accommodate a'setscrew which ismovable toward and from the shank and which functions as a limit stop.The movable contact means is operatively mounted on the battery case(which can be of metal or insulated material as desired) and is soarranged as to energize the battery and the associated signalling bulb.It is within the scope of the invention to utilize a simpler make andbreak adaptation wherein instead of the twin coils, a spring metalcontact of L-shaped form is mounted on a metal case and is provided witha setscrew which can be pulled by a bite on the line in a manner toclose the circuit and bring the signalling light into play.

In a more specific adaptation the forward end of the battery case isprovided with a special collar which in turn is equipped with disc ordiaphragm having a socket for the lamp bulb. In this case theaforementioned ring encircles and is mounted on a projecting end portionof the collar. The collar also serves to mount the inner domical cap ofa dual cap cover. The inner cap has a sight opening which emits lightrays which pass through the outer rotatably mounted cap. This outer capis preferably provided with imperforate distinguishably colored segmentsor sectors which can be selectively lined up with the sight opening inthe inner cap to facilitate use of the invention when a plurality ofbite-signalling devices are erected in group relationship, whereby tominimize confusion where, for instance, several anglers aresimultaneously fishing.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. i is a view in perspective of a pull-responsive bitesignallinglight constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention andshowing the same removably strapped on the forward end of a rod andshowing the circuit make and break means, that is one form or embodimentthereof and also showing a portion of the turnable outer cap broken awayto uncover the opening in the inner cap.

FIG. 2 is a view based on FIG. 1 and on a slightly enlarged scale andtaken approximately on the plane of the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a section at right angles taken on the plane of the verticalsection line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective showing how the same attaching straps(FIG. 1) can be rearranged when the user is called upon to employ thebite-signalling light in connection with a trotline (not detailed) andan onshore vertical stake and wherein a bypass line is preferably usedfor best results.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary and elevation based on the embodiment of FIG. iiand with portions broken away and showing how the inward coil serves asa holder for a setscrew capable of use as a limit stop as well as acircuit closing contact.

And FIG. 6 is a view similar in a manner of speaking to FIG. 5, that isfragmentarily shown and with parts appearing in section and which showsa modification in the circuit make and break means and employed, forexample, when the battery case is of metal instead of insulatedmaterial.

By way of introduction to the description of the details it is to bepointed out that the component parts of the overall structure appearingprimarily in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive correspond with like parts appearingin FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5. However and in FIGS. 4 and 5 the signallinglight is employed in a slightly different manner. Inasmuch as the partsare basically the same in these views it is believed that it willsimplify the presentation to refer to like parts with like referencenumerals. On the other hand the modification and adaptation shown inFIG. 6 will be treated separately.

With the foregoing in mind and with reference in particular to FIGS. 1and 2 the numeral 8 designates a fishing rod having a terminal guide eye10 for that portion 12 of the fishing line 14 which passes therethrough.As already pointed out this aspect of the concept covers not only a rod"but a simple cane or equivalent fishing pole as is believed to beevident.

The light source preferably comprises a conventional-type flashlight 16and which comprises an elongate cylindrical battery case 18 ofinsulation material. The closed rearward end (FIG. 2) of the case isdenoted at 20 and serves as an abutment for an enclosed coil spring 22which yieldingly presses against an adjacent end of the dry cell battery24. The forward contact of the battery 26 is in contact with thescrew-type base 28 of the signalling light or bulb 30. The means forremovably mounting the bulb is best shown in FIG. 2 wherein it will beobserved that the numeral 32 designates a specially constructedscrew-threaded collar of current conducting material, the inward end ofwhich is screwed into the forward end of the battery case. The medianportion is provided with an outstanding encircling channel or bead 34which accommodatingly supports the edge of a diaphragm 36 centrallyprovided with a suitably threaded socket 38 for the base 28 of the bulb.The projecting end portion 40 is constructed to accommodate anattachable end of the inner domical cap 432. This cap is provided withan end opening 44 which is aligned with a complemental opening 46 in theouter domical cap 48. These two caps 42 and 48 fit telescopicallytogether and the outer cap is provided with an internal rib which iskeyed for rotation in a groove provided therefor in the inner cap asbrought out in FIG. 2. The numeral 50 designates a grip which issuitably knurled to facilitate turning of the outer cap 4% with respectto the inner cap $2. The two caps provide a protective closure 52 forthe bulb. It will be further noted that the inner cap is provided in oneside with a slot or an opening 5 8 which emits light for passage throughthe circumferentially spaced sectors or segments 56. In practice thesesegments are of distinguishable colors and hence can be selectivelyregistered with the slot or opening 54 to facilitate use of theinvention where, for example, a number of fishermen are simultaneouslyfishing from a common fishing ground or area.

The circuit make and break means shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusivecomprises relatively stationary contact means denoted generally at 5%and complemental relatively movable contact means denoted generally at60. The means 58 comprises an adapter ring 62 which snugly encases thecollar 32 and which is provided on a peripheral side with a socket menmember 66. This socket member is provided interiorly with screw threadsto accommodate the screw threads shown on the shank 66 of the yoke. Theyoke is denoted at 68 and is properly positioned for coaction with themovable contact means. It is provided with a line guide opening oraperture as at 70. Also the arm 72 (FIG. 174 is provided with a kerf ornotch 74 which serves as a keeper. The movable contact means isfashioned from a length of wire the forward end of which is fashionedinto a first outer coil 76 which serves to permit passage of the linetherethrough in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive. Theinner coil is denoted at '73 and the connecting wire is denoted at 80.This wire can be removably lodged in the keeper notch when one desiresto keep the light on (not illustrated) for a given period of time, thatis to use the flashlight for whatever purposes may at the time beserved. The end portion 82 of the wire is passed along the exterior ofthe battery case through an insulation jacket 84 where it is carried tothe rear end 22 and connected with the coil spring 22 in a manner tocomplete the circuit, that is when the circuit is closed. It is evidentthat when sufficient pull is exerted on the line 14 the coil 76 willengage in the crotch of the yoke and the circuit will be closedmomentarily or as long as the required pull is exerted. When using thisembodiment of the invention the forward and rearward elastic straps 86and 88 come into play. One end 90 of each strap is provided with ahooklike clip 92 which is releasably cooperable with a cleat 9d fixed onthe battery case. Using these cleats and hooks and the respectivecoacting end s ends of the straps both straps can be wrapped around therod in a manner to temporarily attach the light source, that is theflashlight 16, to the fishing rod.

With respect to the slight variation shown in FIG. 5 it will be notedthat this adaptation is such that the fishing line is connected to thepart 80 of the movable contact means. Also a setscrew 96 is threadedinto and through the inner coil 78. The setscrew can be used as a limitstop for adjusting the sensitivity of the movable contact means. Then,too, it will be evident that the screw-threaded shank on the yoke can beadjusted in the socket 6d for further adjustment needs. It is believedthat the manner of use of this adaptation in FIG. 5 is substantiallyself-evident.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 the numeral 98 designates a trotline.The onshore vertical stake is denoted at 100. The numeral 102 designatesa short tying and anchoring line which is attached at 104 to the stake.This line is also connected at 106 to the rearward elastic flashlightsuspension means or strap 88 when the latter is employed in the mannershown in FIG. 4, that is between the flashlight and the stake 100. Thenumeral 108 designates normally slack check line having its rearward end110 attached to the short anchoring line 102. The other end portion isconnected as at 112 to a coacting portion of the line 98. The terminalend portion 114 of this line is passed through the hole in the yoke asat 70 (FIG. 4) and is temporarily tied or connected to the inner coil 78whereby the latter when under stress or strain is caused to close thecircuit. It will be evident that in this arrangement the forward strap86 is so arranged that the end portions straddle the forward portion ofthe flashlight and the two lines are connected to the bight portion asat 116. It follows that in this adaptation and arrangement thesignalling light is operatively connected with the stake 100 and theauxiliary slack line permits, in conjunction with the elastic straps 86and 88, accomplishment of the end result desired.

With reference now to FIG. 6 the cap means is denoted generally by thenumeral 118. The battery case is denoted at 120 and is made of metal. Inthis arrangement the relatively stationary contact means is denoted at122 and comprises an adapter ring 124 having a screw-threaded socketmember 126 to accommodate the screw-threaded end portion (not detailed)of the attachable and detachable as well as adjustable circuit closingshank 128. The movable contact element or means here comprises asubstantially L-shaped spring metal element 130. The short foot or limb132 is mounted atop the metal case. The long limb is denoted at 134 andis provided with a setscrew 136 to which the end 138 of the fishing line140 is operatively connected in the manner and for the purposes shown.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, a falling within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A portable pull-actuated bite-signal for use by a fishermancomprising, in combination, a self-contained portable signalling deviceembodying a battery case having forward and rearward ends, an insertableand removable collar carried by said forward end, said collar having anaxial socket for reception and retention of the base of a lamp bulb, adry cell battery confined in said case, a lamp bulb having a baseremovably mounted in said socket and operatively cooperable with saidbattery, cover means mounted on said collar and encasing said lamp bulb,and circuit make and break means embodying relatively stationary contactmeans and complemental movable contact means mounted on said case andoperatively oriented and associated with said dry cell battery andembodying a pullresponsive fishing-line guide, said guide beingyieldingly resilient and normally disengaging said contact means butcooperatively engaging said contact means when a pull on the fishingline sufficient to actuate the line guide and momentarily or otherwiseengage said contact means, said stationary contact means comprising areadily applicable and removable adapter ring, said ring conforminglysurrounding said collar and abutting the forward end of said case, and aradially projecting contact element adjustably mounted on a peripheralsurface of said ring.

2. The bite signal defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein saidsignalling device comprises a flashlight, said lamp bulb beingapplicable and removable, said cover means embodying an inner capaligned with and removably mounted on said collar, said inner cap havingan end opening to accommodate a coacting restricted tip end of the lampbulb and a restricted windowlike sight opening for passage of lightrays, and also embodying an outer cap exteriorly encompassing androtatably mounted on said inner cap and having an end opening alignedwith said first named end opening.

3. The bite signal defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein saidcaps are correspondingly domical in shape, the inner cap telescopinginto the enclosing outer cap and having a plurality of distinguishablyindividually colored circumferentially arranged sectors, said sectorsbeing selectively and individually registrable with said sight opening.

4. The bite signal defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein saidperipheral surface is provided with a radial outstanding socket memberwhose socket is screw threaded, said contact element having ascrew-threaded shank which is screwed into said socket.

5. The bite signal defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein saidperipheral surface is provided with a radial outstanding socket memberwhose socket is screw-threaded, said contact element having ascrew-threaded shank which is screwed into said socket, said contactelement also embodying a forklike head and said head having a fishingline hole and also having a kerf in a marginal edge, said kerf providinga keeper notch.

6. The bite signal defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein saidmovable contact means comprises inward and outward spaced parallel coilsprings, the outer coil spring providing the aforementioned line guide,the inner coil spring being adapted to accommodatingly hold and supporta setscrew which functions as an adjustable limit stop, and a portion ofsaid movable contact means being releasably seatable in said keepernotch when the user desires to close the circuit and keep the bulb litor a predetermined period of time.

7. The bite signal defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein saidcase is elongated and is provided at its respective forward and rearwardends with elastic straps capable of being used singly and conjointly formounting said case alongside and removably on a fishing rod and,alternatively, temporarily connecting the rearward end to an anchoringstake and the forward end to a coacting portion of said fishing line.

8. For use on and in conjunction with a flashlight of a typecharacterized by an elongated case closed at a rearward end andenclosing a spring-biased dry cell battery and open at its forward endand provided with a screw-threaded conductive collar having acentralized socket member equipped with a flashlight-type bulb andcap-type cover means for said bulb: circuit make and break means forswitching the bulb off and on, said means comprising (1) stationarycontact means and oriented and (2) coacting relatively movable contactmeans, said stationary contact means comprising an adapter ring designedand adapted to conformingly snugly encircle said collar in a manner toretain a given position, said ring having a screw-threaded socket memberradiating and projecting outwardly from an outer peripheral surface ofsaid ring, a contact element having a screw-threaded shank screwed intosaid socket member and a U-shaped yoke, said yoke having a hole forpassage of a portion of a fishing line and one arm of the yoke having akeeper notch, said movable contact means comprising a length ofcurrent-conducting wire one end portion of which is adapted to beelectrically connected to the dry cell battery, the other end being freeand formed with a first coil providing a line guide eye, the medianportion formed with a second coil, both coils being situated proximal toand yieldingly movable toward said yoke when acted upon by apredetermined pull on the coacting fishing line.

9. The circuit make and break means defined in and according to claim 8,and in combination, a setscrew adjustably screwed into and carried bysaid second coil and providing a limit stop and being lined up with andadjustably engageable with said shank.

it). The structure defined in and according to claim 8, and incombination, a first elastic strap having end portions straddling andoperatively connected to a rearward end portion of the battery case anda median portion to which a stake anchoring line is tied and connected,a second elastic strap like and complemental to said first elastic strapand likewise having end portions straddling and operatively connected tothe forward end portion of said battery case, a main fishing line havinga rearward end portion threaded through the aforementioned hole andoperatively connected to said second coil, and an auxiliary bypass line,said bypass line spanning the battery case and having a rearward endconnected to said stake anchoring line and a forward end connected tothe rearward end portion of said fishing line and also connected to amedian portion of said second elastic strap.

11. For use on the bulb-equipped end of a metal flashlight case, circuitmake and break means comprising a relatively stationary contactcomprising an adapter ring having an outer peripheral surface providedwith ascrew-threaded socket member and a shank having a screw-threadedend removably and adjustably screwed into the socket of said member andprojecting axially therefrom, and a complemental relatively movablecontact comprising an L-shaped member having long and short arms, saidshort arm being afiixed to and anchored on said case and said long armbeing flexible and resilient, proximal to and spaced from said shank,being pull-responsive when a fishing line is connected to the upper freeend, and a current-conducting setscrew mountedadjustably on a medianportion of said long arm and being operatively movable toward and fromsaid shank.

12. An illuminable bite signal comprising, in combination, a

relatively stationary ground-anchored vertically disposed stake, bitesignalling means comprising a portable-type flashlight embodying a casecontaining a dry cell battery, said case having a forward end providedwith a lamp bulb having protective-case-attached cap means, said bulbhaving operating connection with said battery, normally openpull-responsive circuit make and break means cooperable with said caseand battery, a fishing line, trotline for example, having an end portionconnected with and for closing said circuit and actuating said bulb whena predetermined pull is exerted on said fishing line, a typing andanchoring line tied at one end on said stake, suspension meanscooperable with a rearward end portion of said case and a coacting endof said typing and anchoring line, additional suspension means connectedto and cooperable with a forward portion of said case and connected withan adjacent coacting portion of said fishing line, said flashlight beingthus hung between said first-named suspension means and said additionalsuspension means, and a normally slack check line spanning saidflashlight and having a forward end connected to said fishing line and arearward end connected to said tying and anchoring line, said check linebeing free of positive connection with any part of said flashlight.

1. A portable pull-actuated bite-signal for use by a fishermancomprising, in combination, a self-contained portable signalling deviceembodying a battery case having forward and rearward ends, an insertableand removable collar carried by said forward end, said collar having anaxial socket for reception and retention of the base of a lamp bulb, adry cell battery confined in said case, a lamp bulb having a baseremovably mounted in said socket and operatively cooperable with saidbattery, Cover means mounted on said collar and encasing said lamp bulb,and circuit make and break means embodying relatively stationary contactmeans and complemental movable contact means mounted on said case andoperatively oriented and associated with said dry cell battery andembodying a pull-responsive fishing-line guide, said guide beingyieldingly resilient and normally disengaging said contact means butcooperatively engaging said contact means when a pull on the fishingline sufficient to actuate the line guide and momentarily or otherwiseengage said contact means, said stationary contact means comprising areadily applicable and removable adapter ring, said ring conforminglysurrounding said collar and abutting the forward end of said case, and aradially projecting contact element adjustably mounted on a peripheralsurface of said ring.
 2. The bite signal defined in and according toclaim 1, and wherein said signalling device comprises a flashlight, saidlamp bulb being applicable and removable, said cover means embodying aninner cap aligned with and removably mounted on said collar, said innercap having an end opening to accommodate a coacting restricted tip endof the lamp bulb and a restricted windowlike sight opening for passageof light rays, and also embodying an outer cap exteriorly encompassingand rotatably mounted on said inner cap and having an end openingaligned with said first named end opening.
 3. The bite signal defined inand according to claim 2, and wherein said caps are correspondinglydomical in shape, the inner cap telescoping into the enclosing outer capand having a plurality of distinguishably individually coloredcircumferentially arranged sectors, said sectors being selectively andindividually registrable with said sight opening.
 4. The bite signaldefined in and according to claim 1 and wherein said peripheral surfaceis provided with a radial outstanding socket member whose socket isscrew threaded, said contact element having a screw-threaded shank whichis screwed into said socket.
 5. The bite signal defined in and accordingto claim 1 and wherein said peripheral surface is provided with a radialoutstanding socket member whose socket is screw-threaded, said contactelement having a screw-threaded shank which is screwed into said socket,said contact element also embodying a forklike head and said head havinga fishing line hole and also having a kerf in a marginal edge, said kerfproviding a keeper notch.
 6. The bite signal defined in and according toclaim 1 and wherein said movable contact means comprises inward andoutward spaced parallel coil springs, the outer coil spring providingthe aforementioned line guide, the inner coil spring being adapted toaccommodatingly hold and support a setscrew which functions as anadjustable limit stop, and a portion of said movable contact means beingreleasably seatable in said keeper notch when the user desires to closethe circuit and keep the bulb lit or a predetermined period of time. 7.The bite signal defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein saidcase is elongated and is provided at its respective forward and rearwardends with elastic straps capable of being used singly and conjointly formounting said case alongside and removably on a fishing rod and,alternatively, temporarily connecting the rearward end to an anchoringstake and the forward end to a coacting portion of said fishing line. 8.For use on and in conjunction with a flashlight of a type characterizedby an elongated case closed at a rearward end and enclosing aspring-biased dry cell battery and open at its forward end and providedwith a screw-threaded conductive collar having a centralized socketmember equipped with a flashlight-type bulb and cap-type cover means forsaid bulb: circuit make and break means for switching the bulb off andon, said means comprising (1) stationary contact means and oriented and(2) coacting relatively movable contact means, said stationary contactmeanS comprising an adapter ring designed and adapted to conforminglysnugly encircle said collar in a manner to retain a given position, saidring having a screw-threaded socket member radiating and projectingoutwardly from an outer peripheral surface of said ring, a contactelement having a screw-threaded shank screwed into said socket memberand a U-shaped yoke, said yoke having a hole for passage of a portion ofa fishing line and one arm of the yoke having a keeper notch, saidmovable contact means comprising a length of current-conducting wire oneend portion of which is adapted to be electrically connected to the drycell battery, the other end being free and formed with a first coilproviding a line guide eye, the median portion formed with a secondcoil, both coils being situated proximal to and yieldingly movabletoward said yoke when acted upon by a predetermined pull on the coactingfishing line.
 9. The circuit make and break means defined in andaccording to claim 8, and in combination, a setscrew adjustably screwedinto and carried by said second coil and providing a limit stop andbeing lined up with and adjustably engageable with said shank.
 10. Thestructure defined in and according to claim 8, and in combination, afirst elastic strap having end portions straddling and operativelyconnected to a rearward end portion of the battery case and a medianportion to which a stake anchoring line is tied and connected, a secondelastic strap like and complemental to said first elastic strap andlikewise having end portions straddling and operatively connected to theforward end portion of said battery case, a main fishing line having arearward end portion threaded through the aforementioned hole andoperatively connected to said second coil, and an auxiliary bypass line,said bypass line spanning the battery case and having a rearward endconnected to said stake anchoring line and a forward end connected tothe rearward end portion of said fishing line and also connected to amedian portion of said second elastic strap.
 11. For use on thebulb-equipped end of a metal flashlight case, circuit make and breakmeans comprising a relatively stationary contact comprising an adapterring having an outer peripheral surface provided with a screw-threadedsocket member and a shank having a screw-threaded end removably andadjustably screwed into the socket of said member and projecting axiallytherefrom, and a complemental relatively movable contact comprising anL-shaped member having long and short arms, said short arm being affixedto and anchored on said case and said long arm being flexible andresilient, proximal to and spaced from said shank, being pull-responsivewhen a fishing line is connected to the upper free end, and acurrent-conducting setscrew mounted adjustably on a median portion ofsaid long arm and being operatively movable toward and from said shank.12. An illuminable bite signal comprising, in combination, a relativelystationary ground-anchored vertically disposed stake, bite signallingmeans comprising a portable-type flashlight embodying a case containinga dry cell battery, said case having a forward end provided with a lampbulb having protective-case-attached cap means, said bulb havingoperating connection with said battery, normally open pull-responsivecircuit make and break means cooperable with said case and battery, afishing line, trotline for example, having an end portion connected withand for closing said circuit and actuating said bulb when apredetermined pull is exerted on said fishing line, a typing andanchoring line tied at one end on said stake, suspension meanscooperable with a rearward end portion of said case and a coacting endof said typing and anchoring line, additional suspension means connectedto and cooperable with a forward portion of said case and connected withan adjacent coacting portion of said fishing line, said flashlight beingthus hung between said first-named suspension means and said additionalsuspeNsion means, and a normally slack check line spanning saidflashlight and having a forward end connected to said fishing line and arearward end connected to said tying and anchoring line, said check linebeing free of positive connection with any part of said flashlight.